Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH – The Council of Ministers on Tuesday thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for his directive to allow the entry of Qatari pilgrims to the Kingdom through the Salwa border crossing to perform Haj and to allow all Qatari nationals, who wish to perform Haj, without electronic permits, based on the mediation of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Ali Bin Abdullah Bin Jasim Al Thani. The King issued the directive on the basis of the recommendation of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense. The Crown Prince chaired the weekly session of the Cabinet at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Al-Awwad said that the Cabinet lauded the King’s order to approve sending Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft to Doha Airport to carry all Qatari pilgrims, and hosting them at his own expense, within the Program of the Guests of King Salman for Haj and Umrah. The Crown Prince emphasized that the Kingdom is always keen to make available all the facilities and services so as to enable the pilgrims to perform their rituals in ease and comfort. “The Kingdom will spare no efforts in fulfilling its honor from Allah to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the visitors to these mosques.” He expressed satisfaction over the completion of the preparations and arrangements, in line with the directives of the King, to the guests of Allah in Makkah, Madinah and the Holy Sites.

Al-Awwad said Cabinet approved that the State shall bear the visa fees, amounting to SR1,000, for the seasonal workers for this year’s Haj. The State shall also meet the entry visa fees for members of committees affiliated with the offices of the pilgrims’ affairs and the organizers of the arrival of pilgrims, who have not yet arrived in the Kingdom, for this year’s Haj.